"Forms and Uses of Energy – Back to You"

by Sara Stoskopf

Forms and Uses of Energy – Back to You

5^th Grade Science

 Brief Description:

This lesson plan goes with a science unit about energy.  It helps students understand the concept of potential and kinetic energy.  The students also develop an understanding about the effects of friction and gravity.  The lesson gives students a visual model and also a chance to use their spatial, interpersonal, logical/mathematical, and verbal/linguistic intelligences.

State Standard:

The state standards that this lesson plan follows are D.8.5.  While conducting investigations, explain the motion of objects by describing the forces acting on them and

D.8.9  Explain the behaviors of various forms of energy by using models of energy transmission, both in the lab and in real life situations in the outside world.

 Objectives:

 Students will create a model to show potential and kinetic energy.

Students will observe potential energy being changed into kinetic energy.

 Domain:

This particular lesson relates to the cognitive domain because students are comparing and contrasting potential and kinetic energy.

 Groupings:

Students will be working in groups of two.

 Materials:

1.        Coffee can with lid

2.        Three large washers

3.        Thick rubber band

4.        Two books

Procedures:

1.        Cut the rubber band so you have one long piece.  Carefully thread it through the holes in the bottom of the can. 

2.        Tie the washer to the rubber band. 

3.        Thread the rubber band through the lid of the coffee can.  Tie the rubber band togther at the lid.

 4.        Make sure the washer is twisted up in the rubber band a little before you put the lid on the coffee can. 

5.        Predict what will happen when you roll the coffee can. 

6.        Roll the coffee can across the floor to your partner.

 7.        Make  ramp with 2 meter sticks and some books.  The meter sticks should be a few cm apart but even with each other.  Line up the 50 cm mark on the two meter sticks to check that they are even.

 8.        Roll the coffee can down from different heights on the meter stick ramp.  Have your partner mark where the can stops and how far it rolls back.  Make a chart to record your results. 

 9.        Predict what will make it roll back further.  Use the materials to change your setup according to your hypothesis.  Test your hypothesis.

 Evalution:

 What Happened? 

1.        What relationship did you observe between how far the coffee can rolled forward and how far it rolled back?

2.        What did you observe when you rolled the can down from higher on the ramp?

3.        What things did you change to make the can roll back further?

What Now?

1.        Why did the coffee can roll back to you?

2.        Where was the energy stored in the coffee can?

3.        How was the energy released?